Robert MASTEN1, Katarina SLEVEC2
robert.masten@ff.uni-lj.si
1 Assoc. Prof. PhD, Faculty of Arts University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 2, Slovenia;
2 Faculty of Arts University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 2, Slovenia
Abstract
Psychotherapy is effective, as demonstrated by numerous studies. However, the process of psychotherapy itself can also lead to adverse effects and includes risk factors that arise, either due to the client’s external environment or due to different factors of the therapist or client in the relationship. In the study, we focus on the question how has psychotherapy changed participant’s satisfaction with life. We also focus on some violations of the boundaries in the psychotherapeutic process, and review the incidence of critical events in psychotherapy. The study involved 107 participants aged 18 or more who attended or still attend psychotherapy. They completed the Effectiveness and Side Effects of Psychotherapy Questionnaire. Participants reported a change in life satisfaction in 84.1% of cases, 4.7% did not detect any change, and 11.2% reported a deterioration. We would like to encourage new studies on critical psychotherapy events, as this will make it easier to prepare psychotherapists for possible complications that can arise during the process itself and protect clients.
Keywords: psychotherapy, adverse reaction, risk factors, critical events,
border violations
Published online: 2019/03/01
Published print: 2019/03/01
